Ice-tongs.



N0. 698,730. Patented Apr. 29, i902.

J. A. MCMASTERS,

ICE TONGS.

` Application 1ed-Mnr. 14, 1901.; (No Model.)

UNITED STATES f PATENT EETCE.

JAMES A. MCMASTERS, OF KITTANNING, PENNSYLVANIA.

ICES-Tones.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 698,730, dated. April29, 1902.

Application filed March 14, 1901. Serial No. 51,168. (No model.)

To all 1072/0711, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JAMES A. MoMAsTERs, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Kittanning, in the county ofArmstrong and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-Tongs, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tongs,and relates particularly to ice-tongs, the invention having for its mainobject to construct a simple, eifective, and inexpensive pair of tongsfor the purpose specified.

Briefly described, the invention comprises a pair of tongs which arepivoted together, and each has a curved extension or arm which operatesthrough a keeper to which the handle is connected. This keeper carriesrivets, upon which rollers are mounted to facilitate the working of theextensions or arms in the casting or keeper, each arm or extensioncarrying a lug which engages with the rollers onY the rivets to limitthe closing movement of the tongs, all of which construction will behereinafter more specifically pointed out and then claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and whereinlike numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout both viewsof the drawings, in which- Figure I is a side elevation of my improvedice-tongs, showing the same gripping a block of ice. Fig. 2 is an edgeview of the tongs.

To pnt my invention into practice, I employ two sheet-metal tongs l,having the desired curvature and each provided with an inturnedgripping-point 2, each of these tongs having an integral extension orarm 3, the bows in which are toward each other, the ends of saidintegral segmental [extension being widened to form downwardly-extendinglugs l to limit the opening and closing movement l of the tongs, as willbe hereinafter described.

These arms operate one upon the other within a keeper 5, comprising twoflat plates, each substantially in the shape of an inverted Y, in theupper end of which is secured a handle from friction and to space theinverted-Y.

shaped plates apart. The two tongs are secured together at theintersection of the arms 3 and the tongs proper bya rivet 9, as shown.

In practice it will be observed that if the handle is held downward thetongs will automatically open, or they will also open under pressureupon the underneath edge of the gripping-points 2. In manufacture Istamp the tongs from a suitable piece of sheet metal, forming'each tongmember in one operation, and may form the inverted-Y-shaped keeper 5 inthe same manner, so that all the labor that is required is the placingof the rivets in the holes provided therefor, the placing of the rollerson these rivets, and fasten the handle by riveting the same between theupwardlyextending legs of the inverted -Y shaped keeper.

It will be noted that the cost of manufacturing ice-tongs constructedaccording to my invention will be materially reduced, and au article ofmanufacture is obtained that is strong, durable, and highly efficient inits use; furthermore, one that will be comparatively light in weight andextremely easy to handle.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, ice-tongs,

.which comprise two tong members of flat sheet metal having inturnedgripping points formed integral with the gripping ends of said tongmembers, outwardly-extending segmental extensions formed integral withthe tong 'members abo've the point of pivot, the ends of said extensionsbeing widened to form .downwardly-extending lugs, the inner edges IOOing the same apart, and apin passn g through each of said rollers andplates and having a head formed thereon abutting against the outer facesof each of said downwardly-extending arms for securing Said rollers inposition, said rollers bearing against the outer edges of each of saidsegmental extensions throughout every movement thereof and en# gagingsaid inner edges of said doWnWardly--` extending lugs for limiting themovement of Io said tong members substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presenceA of twowitnesses.

JAMES A. MCMASTERS.

Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, E. E. POTTER.

